JP2004531871A - Waveform current collector of internal direct reforming fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel cell having a waveform current collector that directly reforms the fuel cell inside has a space series of continuous waveforms. For a given row, this waveform forms a continuous top and valley region along that row. This corrugated spatial row is adapted so that the corresponding top region of the row forms a passage for receiving and supporting the solid catalyst elements. The corrugated space column is provided with a given pitch between successive top regions. Also, the waveform columns are configured such that the corresponding top region of the columns has a finite offset that is 50% or less of the pitch. As a result, a plurality of passages for accommodating and supporting the solid catalyst elements are formed in the current collectors that are extended from row to row. Further, the offset is set so that the catalyst element is fitted into the waveform based on the direction of the catalyst.

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to a technique for supporting a collector electrode in a fuel cell. In particular, the present invention relates to a corrugated current collector for a high temperature planar fuel cell that performs reforming therein.
[Background]
[0002]
A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy stored in a fuel such as hydrogen or methane directly into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. Fuel cells differ from traditional power generation methods that first burn fuel to produce heat, convert this heat into mechanical energy, and finally convert it into electricity. The more direct conversion process used by fuel cells has significant advantages over traditional means in both increasing efficiency and reducing emissions.
[0003]
In general, fuel cells, like batteries, comprise a negative (anode) electrode and an anode (cathode) electrode, separated by an electrolyte that functions to conduct electrically charged ions between them. Yes. However, in contrast to batteries, fuel cells can continue to produce electricity as long as fuel and oxidant can be supplied to the anode and cathode, respectively. To accomplish this, a gas flow field is provided adjacent to the anode and cathode through which fuel and oxidant are supplied. In order to produce sufficient power levels, a significant number of fuel cells need to be stacked in series. In that case, an electrically conductive separator plate is provided between the batteries.
[Patent Document 1]
U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,876
[Patent Document 2]
U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,472
[Patent Document 3]
US Pat. No. 5,795,665
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0004]
In a fuel cell that performs reforming internally, a steam reforming catalyst is disposed in the stack of the fuel cell. This is in order to eliminate the need for expensive and complicated external reforming equipment and to make it possible to use hydrocarbon fuel (for example, methane, coal gas, etc.) directly in the fuel cell. So far, two internal reforming formats have been used. Indirect internal reforming, which is one of them, is realized by arranging an isolated chamber in the stack and flowing the reformed gas from the chamber into the anode partition of each fuel cell. Another type of direct internal reforming is realized by placing a reforming catalyst in the anode partition during operation of each fuel cell. This catalyst is useful when reforming the fuel gas with steam generated by the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell, and provides very high reforming efficiency and fuel utilization.
[0005]
The particular arrangement that can be used as the anode chamber and catalyst support is important for a number of reasons. The arrangement should be selected to minimize pressure drop in the fuel flow. This is because if a higher pressure is required, more auxiliary power is required and the system efficiency is reduced. Furthermore, for stacks with many fuel cells, it is ensured that each cell can enjoy the same fuel flow by reducing fluctuations in the flow restriction from cell to cell. As a result, each cell operates using the same fuel. The efficiency of the fuel cell stack is limited by the cell that receives the smallest fuel among the cells, so to achieve maximum fuel utilization and electrical efficiency of the fuel cell stack, the flow of fuel must be reduced. It is important to make it uniform.
[0006]
The main feature of the fuel cell with respect to the direct internal reforming catalyst is the useful life of the cell. As the cell is used, the activity of the reforming catalyst in the anode chamber decreases due to the contamination effect of the electrolyte vapor in the passage. This reduction in activity reduces catalyst efficiency and cell reforming efficiency. This also reduces the amount of reformed fuel that is imparted to the electrochemical reaction, thus reducing the electrical efficiency of the fuel cell. One way to improve reforming efficiency and cell life is to increase the mass of catalyst in the anode chamber, since the effectiveness of the catalyst is directly related to the mass of catalyst acting on the reforming. That is.
[0007]
Another important feature of the components used to form fuel cell oxidant flow sites is the ability to apply uniform pressure to the operating cell components. Uniform pressure is important to ensure uniform contact resistance in the operating area of the fuel cell and to reduce the probability that gaps will be formed between cell components during operation.
[0008]
Also, the direct internal reforming catalyst must be protected from electrolyte leakage from the adjacent anode containing the liquid electrolyte. One way to protect the catalyst is to design a corrugated current collector to act as a barrier for electrolyte migration from adjacent anode components by shielding the catalyst. .
[0009]
Many different component arrangements have been proposed and used by fuel cell manufacturers to provide fuel and oxidant flow paths and catalyst support for direct internal reforming fuel cells. It has been. U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,876 describes a corrugated current collector used for this purpose. In the current collector of the 876 patent, the particulate material is placed in the corrugated portion of the current collector and is used for diffusion and support. The particulate material faces the catalyst layer adjacent to the active electrode. The particulate material is preferably made of non-conductive alumina, but may contain the same material as that used in the catalyst layer. A significant portion of the active electrode is shielded by particulate material, and the arrangement is limited so that gas flows around the shielded area from the electrolyte.
[0010]
U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,472 describes a corrugated current collector having a plurality of corrugations forming recesses aligned in a grid pattern used on the cathode side of a fuel cell. This configuration shows that the current collector of the 876 patent is improved by allowing the gas to better reach the working electrode. However, this arrangement creates limitations when used in an anode chamber that contains a direct internal reforming catalyst in the form of an elongated solid element. Due to the grid pattern, these catalytic elements can only be mounted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow of fuel gas. This causes a high flow restriction and is susceptible to large variations in the flow restriction from cell to cell.
[0011]
In the current collector of the 472 patent, another disadvantage of using a grid pattern recess is that the corrugated legs are periodically nested through the bipolar plate when applied to both anode and cathode chambers. Therefore, a compression load having a larger lattice pattern is generated in the operation region of the fuel cell. This uneven pressure distribution causes variations in the contact resistance of the fuel cell.
[0012]
Another problem with using the current collector of the 472 patent relates to the flow path formed by placing the solid catalyst elements perpendicular to the flow direction. The resulting arrangement is characterized in that the flow resistance in the direction parallel to the main flow direction is substantially equal to the flow resistance in the perpendicular direction. This means that gas is generated in the region of the fuel cell that produces a high current, and further that the mixing within the fuel cell expands laterally. However, this tends to further supply fresh fuel that provides a high current density and temperature gradient in the fuel cell to the high current generation region in the fuel cell.
[0013]
According to US Pat. No. 5,795,665, an alternative to a corrugated current collector is described that combines a separator plate and a current collector to support a solid catalyst element and form a gas flow path. ing. According to this configuration, all the battery components are formed in a corrugated pattern to form a nested structure. However, as a result, a complicated operation is required to mold the fuel cell component. In addition, the space for the reforming catalyst element is limited.
[0014]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel waveform current collector that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art design.
[0015]
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a corrugated current collector that allows direct internal reforming catalyst elements to be mounted substantially parallel to the primary flow direction of gas.
[0016]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a corrugated current collector that makes it possible to maximize the space provided for the solid reforming catalyst element.
[0017]
Still another object of the present invention is to distribute pressure more evenly over the operating parts of the fuel cell.
[0018]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flow characterized by a high lateral resistance and a low longitudinal (axial) resistance to make the current and temperature distribution in the fuel cell more uniform. The object is to provide a corrugated current collector that provides an arrangement of flow fields.
[0019]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a corrugated current collector that better shields direct internal reforming solid catalyst elements from the electrolyte and separates the catalyst elements from the electrode containing the electrolyte.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0020]
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above and other objects are realized by a current collector having a series of waveforms arranged at intervals. The corrugation in a given row is such that a continuous top region and valley region are provided along a given row for the corresponding top region from row to row to contain and support the solid catalyst elements. A corrugated space sequence is constructed so that a passage can be established.
[0021]
In the embodiments of the present invention described below, for spaced waveform rows, a given pitch is provided between successive top regions in the row, and the tops of adjacent rows are provided. The area is configured to have a predetermined offset. In particular, the offset has a finite value and is selected to be no more than 50 percent of the pitch. This is so that a plurality of passages can be established for the solid catalyst element. Also, the offset is selected based on the size of the catalyst so that the catalyst element can be fitted into the waveform.
[0022]
The foregoing and other objects and aspects of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows a current collector 1 formed into a waveform according to the principles of the present invention. As can be seen from the figure, the current collector 1 includes waveform rows 2-7 at intervals. In each waveform row, a top region P and a valley region V are formed along the length direction of the waveform. These are denoted by reference numerals P2 to P7 and V2 to V7, respectively, for the waveform train 2-7.
[0024]
Consecutive peaks within a given waveform row define a predetermined pitch in that row. In this case, the pitch of each row is equal, and is Pt. In addition, each of the waveform columns 2-7 is offset by a finite amount from the preceding waveform column and the subsequent waveform column, and this offset changes in the opposite direction from one column to the next. ing. Therefore, the waveform train 3 is offset to the right from the waveform train 2, and the waveform train 4 is offset to the left from the waveform train 3. In this case, all column-to-column offsets are O.
[0025]
According to the principles of the present invention, the offset “O” to the column is selected to be 50% or less of the pitch Pt. Using the offsets thus selected, the corrugations 2-7 define passages, each passage extending from row to row, and each passage contains a solid catalyst element. And is adapted to support.
[0026]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the waveform row 2-7 defines a passage 11-14 and accommodates and supports the solid catalyst elements 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the catalyst elements 15 are engaged by segments that form each corrugated passage. A series of segments into which the catalyst element 15 is fitted extend along the length of the catalyst element, thereby favorably supporting the catalyst element via the current collector 1.
[0027]
The catalyst element 15 is fitted into the passage and is arranged so as to cross the length direction of the corrugation by establishing the passage 11-14 by extending the corrugation row 2-7 across the length direction. Can do. The arrangement of the catalyst element 15 provides a remarkable effect. That is, when the catalyst element 15 uses the current collector 1 formed into the corrugated shape as the current collector on the anode side of the direct internal reforming fuel cell that functions as an internal reforming catalyst, a remarkable effect is produced. .
[0028]
In particular, when used as such a current collector on the anode side, the catalyst element 15 is arranged in parallel to the axial direction of the fuel gas. The free flow area can be expanded. The free flow area 16 is shown in FIG. The flow restriction for the fuel gas of the fuel cell is a function of the smallest free flow area available for the gas. Therefore, the free flow area 16 of the current collector 1 can significantly reduce the flow restriction of the fuel cell as compared with the configuration of the current collector formed into a conventional waveform.
[0029]
This can be understood by comparing the free flow area 16 of the current collector 1 with the free flow area of the conventional type corrugated current collector disclosed in the 472 patent. Such a conventional corrugated current collector 21 shown in FIG. 2 includes corrugated rows 22-27 in which the top region PP and the valley region VV form a lattice pattern. This lattice pattern is a result of selecting the waveform offset O1 from column to column to be equal to 50% of the pitch Pt1.
[0030]
As can be seen from FIG. 2 showing a conventional current collector 21 that is a current collector on the anode side, the solid catalyst elements 28 must be arranged along the length direction of the corrugated row. It will be arranged so as to cross the flow direction. As a result, the free flow area 29 is limited, as can be seen from the end of the conventional current collector 21 shown in FIG.
[0031]
Due to the limited free flow area 29, the flow limitation of the gas in the fuel cell using the conventional current collector 21 is almost four times that of the current collector 1 of the present invention. This is illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the pressure drop measured for current collector 1, shown in comparison with the pressure drop measured for conventional current collector 21.
[0032]
The current collector 1 of the present invention can be suitably formed from a single plate made of an appropriate material compatible with a specific fuel cell (for example, nickel-coated stainless steel manufactured by Inconel, etc.). The material is perforated by die-cutting and pressing with a mold, and a valley region or a leg region and a top region are formed. The depth in the drilling process determines the height of the gas flow field. In order to minimize the gas flow restriction, the arrangement of the valley regions is selected so that the cross-sectional region obstructed by the valley region is minimized in the gas flow axis direction.
[0033]
The size of the valley region and the stamped pattern is selected to provide sufficient strength under compressive loading and sufficient area for gas to reach the active electrode. Another consideration in determining the size of the valley region is to not oversize the active electrode so that it does not sink into the flow field.
[0034]
By selecting the pitch Pt and the offset O as described above, the advantageous effects described above can be obtained. Furthermore, placing the offset O on the diameter of the catalyst element 15 maximizes the diameter and mass of the catalyst, thereby maximizing the life of the fuel cell. As described above, the top region is formed such that the region 17 and the catalyst element 15 are fitted and fixed to the bipolar separator, and can be separated from the electrolyte including the electrode.
[0035]
The minimum free flow area 29 of the current collector 21 of the prior art can be significantly affected by the diameter of the catalyst and can be difficult to control at the manufacturing plant. The deviation of the flow restriction of the current collector 21 in the manufactured fuel cell will be serious. According to the current collector 1 of the present invention, the minimum free flow area 16 can be much less affected by the diameter of the catalyst, greatly reducing deviations in the flow restriction from cell to cell. Can do.
[0036]
FIG. 6 shows the result of performing a Monte Carlo simulation for predicting the flow restriction for a large number of cells using a randomly selected value with a general variance as input in a mathematical model of pressure drop. Is shown. The results show that for cells using current collector 1 of the present invention, the dispersion of the flow restriction from cell to cell is 5 to 6 times narrower than cells using current collector 21 of the prior art. ing.
[0037]
7 and 8 show the distribution of the flow for 23 fuel cell stacks, one using the current collector 1 according to the present invention and the other according to the prior art. The thing using the electrical power collector 21 is shown. These results experimentally prove that by using the current collector according to the present invention, the non-uniformity of the flow can be reduced by a factor of 2 to 3.
[0038]
As described above, the column-to-column offset O for the waveform of the current collector 1 formed into a waveform is from a finite value (ie, a value greater than 0 percent of the pitch Pt) to 50 percent or less of the pitch Pt. It can change to a value. The same applies to catalysts having different diameters. Moreover, if the offset O is 0% of the pitch, it is possible to use a catalyst having the maximum diameter, but this is not preferable for two reasons. First, since the catalyst is placed very close to the anode electrode of the fuel cell, the liquid electrolyte can potentially leak directly from the anode. Second, if the offset is 0%, the contact portion between the catalyst element 15 and the corrugation, which is useful for holding the catalyst, will be lost.
[0039]
Another important advantage of the corrugated current collector of the present invention is the desired distribution of contact achieved by the current collector. FIG. 9 shows current collectors 91 and 92 having a configuration similar to that of the current collector 1 of FIG. These are respectively used on the anode side and the cathode side of the bipolar plate 93 of the fuel cell. As can be seen from the figure, the anode-side current collector 91 supports a catalyst element 94 for internal reforming.
[0040]
As can be seen from FIG. 9, the configuration of the current collectors 91 and 92 aligns the top regions 92A, 92C, 92E, and 92G in the waveform row of the canode-side current collector 92 with the locations where they are in contact with the bipolar plate 93. The valley regions 91 </ b> A, 91 </ b> C, 91 </ b> E and 91 </ b> G in the waveform array of the anode-side current collector 91 are in contact with the bipolar plate 93. On the other hand, at the place where the valley regions 92B, 92D, 92F and 92H in the waveform array of the canode-side current collector 92 are not aligned with the place where the valley-side current is in contact with the bipolar plate 93, The valley regions 91B, 91D, 91F, and 91H of the waveform row are in contact with the bipolar plate 93.
[0041]
In the latter area where the corrugated trough region of the anode current collector and the corrugated trough region of the cathode current collector are not aligned, the separator plate 93 allows the structure to be flexibly bent. In the area of the current collector where the valley regions are aligned, pressure is applied to the separator 93 to strengthen the structure.
[0042]
10 and 11 show the flexibility of the current collector according to the present invention when compared with the area where the conventional current collector shown in FIG. 2 is used for the anode current collector and the cathode current collector, respectively. The pattern of a strong area and a strong area is shown. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the pattern formed by using the current collector according to the present invention is substantially uniform because the aligned points and the unaligned points are very scattered. I know that there is. On the other hand, as can be seen from FIG. 11, the pattern using the conventional current collector has a larger lattice pattern size. This alignment grid pattern increases the high pressure area (30) and the low pressure area (31) for the active fuel cell component.
[0043]
Another advantage of the current collector 1 according to the present invention is that the reforming catalyst can be arranged substantially parallel to the gas flow direction. By arranging the catalyst parallel to the gas flow direction, the lateral flow restriction is much higher than the axial flow restriction (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). However, by arranging the catalyst in a direction perpendicular to the flow, the lateral flow restriction is substantially the same as the axial flow restriction (see FIGS. 2, 9 and 10). Due to the difference in the lateral flow restriction, the temperature gradient of the fuel cell using the current collector according to the present invention is smaller than the temperature gradient of the fuel cell using the current collector according to the prior art.
[0044]
Furthermore, since the current is inevitably non-uniform over a wide area of the fuel cell, the gas generated in the anode chamber is also non-uniform. For fuel cells that use the current collector of the present invention, some of the generated gas will not easily expand sideways, so fresh fuel will be directed to a less current area in the fuel cell. Will be. In a fuel cell using a current collector of the prior art, the generated gas expands sideways, which causes more fresh fuel to be supplied to areas with high current, thereby increasing current imbalance. It will end up.
[0045]
The fuel cell using the current collector of the present invention shows a smaller temperature gradient than the fuel cell using the current collector of the prior art. This can be understood from the experimental data shown in FIGS. These figures show temperature gradients of 30 fuel cell stacks using the current collector 1 of the present invention and 30 fuel cells using the current collector 21 of the prior art. It is a thing. As can be seen from the figure, the temperature gradient of the fuel cell stack using the current collector according to the present invention is 70 ° C. at the maximum. On the other hand, the fuel cell stack using the current collector of the prior art has a temperature gradient of 99 degrees C at the maximum. Both operating conditions are the same.
[0046]
FIG. 14 shows a direct internal reforming fuel cell including fuel cells 101 and 102. The fuel cells 101 and 102 have a configuration in which a blue node current collector 91, a cathode current collector 92, and a bipolar plate 93 are laminated as shown in FIG. As can be seen, each fuel cell includes an anode section formed by the anode electrode 111, an anode current collector 91, and a bipolar plate 93. Each fuel cell similarly includes a cathode section including a cathode electrode 112, a cathode current collector 92, and a bipolar plate 93. Ultimately, each fuel cell includes an electrolyte member 113 disposed between the anode section 112 and the cathode section 112.
[0047]
In all cases, the above-described arrangements are merely illustrative of a number of specific embodiments that are representative of the application of the present invention. Numerous modified configurations can be employed in accordance with the principles of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0048]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current collector formed into a waveform according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a current collector formed into a conventional type of corrugation disclosed in the '472 patent.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an end portion of a current collector formed into a waveform shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram showing an end portion of a current collector formed into the conventional waveform shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing measured values of pressure drop as a function of gas flow rate for the current collector shaped in the waveform of FIG. 1 and the prior art.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of current resistance of 5000 cells each using the current collector shaped into the waveform shown in the figure and the current collector shaped into the conventional waveform shown in FIG. 2; It is the figure which plotted estimation variance.
FIG. 7 shows the flow non-uniformity measured for 30 cell stacks made of current collectors shaped into the waveform of FIG. 1 and below +/− 15%. It is a figure which shows that there exists a deviation.
8 shows the flow non-uniformity measured for 30 cell stacks made of current collectors shaped into the conventional corrugations shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows that there exists a deviation of 30% or more.
9 is a view showing a catalyst element and an anode current collector having the form of a current collector formed into the waveform shown in FIG. 1, and a form of the current collector formed into a waveform shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a contact region of a top region of the current collectors on the separator plate, the cathode current collectors having a bipolar separator plate disposed on opposite sides of the cathode current collectors; It is.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing that the contact pattern formed by the corrugated current collector of FIG. 1 results in a generally uniform distribution.
FIG. 11 shows that the contact pattern formed by the conventional corrugated current collector shown in FIG. 2 results in a high pressure portion and a low pressure portion like a lattice pattern. FIG.
12 is a temperature distribution measured for 30 fuel cell stacks made with the corrugated current collector of FIG. 1 and shows that the temperature range is 70 degrees C. FIG. FIG.
13 is a distribution of temperatures measured for 30 fuel cell stacks made with the conventional corrugated current collector shown in FIG. 2, with a temperature range of 99 degrees C. FIG. It is a figure which shows that it is.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell stack using a current collector formed into a waveform according to the present invention.

Claims (19)

Waveform current collector having a series of spaced waveforms arranged consecutively, with a continuous peak region and valley region established along the remaining rows by the waveforms in a given row A corrugated current collector in which the spaced rows of corrugations are adapted such that a passage for receiving and supporting the solid catalytic elements can be established by the rows and corresponding top regions of the rows body. The top regions of each of the waveform rows are provided with a pitch Pt, and the corresponding top regions of the rows of the waveform rows are offset by an amount O. The waveform current collector according to claim 1. The waveform current collector according to claim 2, wherein the pitch Pt is the same in each row and the row, and the offset O is the same in each row. The waveform current collector according to claim 3, wherein the direction of the offset is alternately changed from right to left in the columns. The waveform current collector according to claim 3, wherein the offset is smaller than 50% of the pitch Pt and has a finite value. 6. The corrugated current collector according to claim 5, further comprising a solid catalyst element in each of the passages. The corrugated current collector according to claim 6, wherein the top regions establishing the passage are engaged with the solid catalytic element housed in the passage. The corrugated current collector is formed from a perforated plate, and a perforated region in the plate forms the valley region, and a region between the perforated regions is the corrugated region. The corrugated current collector of claim 6, wherein the corrugated current collector forms the top region of the row. The waveform current collector according to claim 2, wherein the offset is smaller than 50% of the pitch Pt and has a finite value. Waveform current collector having a series of spaced waveforms arranged consecutively, with a continuous peak region and valley region established along the remaining rows by the waveforms in a given row The top regions in each row are spaced at the same pitch Pt, and the corresponding top regions in rows and columns are offset by the same amount O. The offset O is a finite value less than 50% of the pitch Pt so that a passage for accommodating and supporting the solid catalyst elements can be established by the corresponding top regions of the row and row, Waveform current collector. An anode section including a separator plate and a corrugated current collector disposed adjacent to the separator plate;
A fuel cell comprising a solid catalyst element housed in each of the passages,
The corrugated current collector has a series of corrugated rows spaced apart, and the corrugation in a given row causes a continuous peak region and valley region along the remaining rows. A fuel cell, wherein the spaced corrugated rows are adapted so that a passage for establishing and supporting the solid catalyst elements can be established by the rows and corresponding top regions of the rows. The top regions of each of the waveform columns are arranged at intervals of a pitch Pt, and an offset of the amount O is provided in the top regions corresponding to the columns in the waveform columns. The fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the offset O is a finite value smaller than 50% of the pitch. The fuel cell according to claim 12, further comprising a solid catalyst element in each of the passages. The corrugated current collector is formed from a perforated plate, and a perforated region in the plate forms the valley region, and a region between the perforated regions is the corrugated region. The fuel cell of claim 13, forming the top region of a row of A cathode section;
The fuel cell of claim 11, further comprising an electrolyte member disposed between the cathode section and the anode section. A fuel cell system,
A first fuel cell including an anode section having a separator plate and a corrugated anode current collector disposed adjacent to the first surface of the separator plate;
A second fuel cell including a cathode section having a corrugated cathode current collector disposed adjacent to a second surface of the separator plate;
The corrugated anode current collector has a series of corrugated rows spaced apart and a continuous top and valley region by the corrugations in a given row along the remaining rows. The spaced rows of corrugations are adapted so that a passage for containing and supporting the solid catalyst elements can be established by the rows and corresponding top regions of the rows;
The corrugated cathode current collector is arranged to traverse the spaced waveform rows of the corrugated anode current collector and has a series of corrugated rows spaced apart. The corrugation in a given row establishes a continuous summit region and valley region along the surplus row, so that a passage can be established by the row and the corresponding summit region of the row. A fuel cell system in which spaced rows of waveforms fit. The top region of each waveform row related to the corrugated anode current collector and the cathode current collector is spaced at the same pitch Pt, and the corrugated anode current collector and the cathode current collector are related to each other. The corrugation corresponding to the top region of each waveform column is provided with an offset of an amount O, the offset O being a finite value less than 50% of the pitch Pt. The fuel cell system described. The fuel cell system according to claim 17, further comprising a solid catalyst element in each of the passages. The first fuel cell further comprises a cathode section and an electrolyte member disposed between the cathode section and the anode section of the first fuel cell;
The second fuel cell further comprises an anode section and an electrolyte member disposed between the anode section and the cathode section of the second fuel cell.
The fuel cell system according to claim 16.

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